—Audite Karim—

Preparations for the national election have begun. Despite various doubts and uncertainties, all parties within the interim government are assuring that the election will be held within the timeframe announced by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. The international community’s positive interest in this election is also noticeable. In particular, the United States is active in ensuring that the election is held as quickly as possible and that power is transferred to a democratic government. Regular meetings are being held between the US ambassador and not only the BNP but also other political parties. It is clear that these meetings are centered on the upcoming election. This election is extremely important for Bangladesh. After 15 long years of misrule, the people expect that a democratic system will be restored through this election. Accountability and transparency will be established. The work of building a corruption-free Bangladesh will begin – that is the collective hope. However, we must remember that the election will only be the beginning of building our desired new Bangladesh. The real work of repairing the state will start after the election. In that regard, just like the popular uprising of 2024, political parties must agree on some fundamental issues. Of course, there will be differences of opinion and strategy among political parties. For example, BNP and Jamaat have disputes regarding the election process. There are also disagreements between BNP and other political parties regarding the July Accord. But on fundamental questions, political consensus is essential. Otherwise, we will again fall into darkness.

After the fall of the Awami League government, the doors of opportunity that were expected to open for Bangladesh in the past year have not materialised. Instead, we have entered new uncertainties. The biggest crisis facing Bangladesh since the fall of the Awami League has been terrorism and extortion. Extortion has led to mob violence. Across the country, we see the rise of an economy of illegal occupation. Looting and arson are happening. Extortion has spread across the country like a plague. If we cannot prevent this extortion, the dream of a new Bangladesh will vanish. Political parties have at times declared action against extortionists. BNP has expelled several leaders and workers at different levels on charges of terrorism and extortion. NCP and Jamaat have also taken disciplinary action against some individuals on extortion charges. But even after these measures, extortion has not stopped, nor has mob violence or illegal occupation. Extortion has become so pervasive that its influence now stretches from street vendors to corporate houses. Individuals with political affiliations openly engage in extortion in offices and courts. If demands are not met, mob violence begins. False and harassing murder cases are filed. Various forms of harassment continue. Without paying extortion money, survival itself has become difficult in this country.

It is not only political parties involved in extortion. Members of the administration are also being linked to this process. Recently, a press secretary of one adviser was accused of extortion. Another arrested extortionist also accused this student adviser of being involved. But the silence of the interim government on these issues has stunned everyone. Student Adviser Asif Mahmud, one of the heroes and commanders of the July uprising, faced allegations of Tk. 600 crore corruption involving his personal staff right after taking office. That investigation has not progressed. Before that was resolved, new allegations surfaced against his press secretary. It should be noted that advisers do not have press secretaries – they have public relations officers. So under what authority did an adviser appoint a press secretary? That itself is questionable. Equally questionable is how these so-called press secretaries are engaging in open extortion. The government has not provided any official answers, nor has the adviser himself.

A few days ago, some leaders of the July student movement were caught while attempting extortion at the house of a former MP in Gulshan. They were arrested and jailed. On their part, they claimed that they had to share a portion of the extortion money with Asif Mahmud. Asif Mahmud denied the allegation, saying he barely knew them. But regardless, such unfortunate incidents are deeply regrettable. We now see that terrorism and extortion have become almost an open secret. Extortion is taking place at police stations. Hundreds of thousands of people are facing false murder cases, and the police are extorting money from the accused. While people claim the police are ineffective, inactive, and demoralised in controlling law and order, their morale remains strong when it comes to extortion. Some officers are accused of using threats of false charges to extort money.

Beyond the police, bribery rates in government offices have also skyrocketed. A businessman recently shared that where he previously had to pay Tk100,000 in bribes, he now has to pay Tk500,000. No work in government offices is done without bribes or extortion. And yet, no one seems able to resist this.

Some corrupt political figures are looting Sylhet’s white stone in celebratory fashion. This too is a form of extortion. No one was able to stop them. Instead, the administration itself became complicit in this plunder. It appeared as though the administration and political parties colluded in extortion. BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has repeatedly emphasised the need for strict action against extortionists. He has called for bringing them under the law. BNP is conducting an internal cleansing campaign. More than 4,000 leaders and activists at different levels have been punished. But still, extortion has not been stopped.

The election is ahead. Businesspeople and ordinary citizens are worried and fearful. Competing political parties may again start new waves of extortion. Businesspeople will be threatened, intimidated, and forced to pay in the name of election expenses. Those unable to pay will face fresh harassment and persecution. They may again be falsely branded as fascist collaborators and mistreated.

All political parties claim they do not shelter extortionists and that they will take a tough stance against them. But in reality, extortion continues unhindered under the protection of political parties. Therefore, in this election, political parties must make a pledge: regardless of who the extortionist is, they must be rejected. They must also declare transparently how much they plan to spend in the election. No party should fund its campaign by forcibly extracting money from businesses, industries, or individuals. If any party receives donations from a business or industrialist, it must be declared publicly. In many countries around the world, such systems exist. In the United States, political donations to election funds are legal and publicly disclosed. We saw in the last election how Elon Musk made a massive donation to Trump with an official announcement. Other businesspeople also openly declare their donations to political parties or individuals. When such contributions are voluntary and transparent, they are not wrong. But when money is secretly and forcibly extracted, it becomes a crime. Even in Europe and neighboring India, open declaration of donations has become common. We must realise that donations and extortion are not the same thing. If political parties acknowledge and transparently declare any support they receive from businesses or individuals, the path of extortion will be blocked. But whenever secrecy is involved, it breeds a lack of transparency. Bangladesh’s economic condition is already dire. Businesspeople are under heavy pressure and fear. They are paralysed and refraining from investment. Over the past year, unrestrained extortion has already taken place. If a fresh wave of election-related extortion begins, the economy will collapse. The new government will not be able to recover it. Therefore, in their election manifestos, all political parties must pledge at least this: they will not engage in extortion, in illegal occupation, or in protecting looters. They must also publicly declare any donations they receive to run their political activities. We can take such a step to establish good governance. Only then will it be possible to begin ending corruption, chaos, and plunder in Bangladesh. Can we take that brave decision?

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Audite Karim is a playwright and columnist. Email: [email protected]